Corneal neovascularization and contemporary antiangiogenic therapeutics

Chih-Chien Hsu; Hua-Ming Chang; Tai-Chi Lin; Kuo-Hsuan Hung; Ke-Hung Chien; Szu-Yu Chen; San-Ni Chen; Yan-Ting Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jcma.2014.10.002

Corneal neovascularization and contemporary antiangiogenic therapeutics

J Chin Med Assoc. 2015 Jun;78(6):323-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jcma.2014.10.002. Epub 2015 Feb 14.

Authors

Chih-Chien Hsu¹, Hua-Ming Chang², Tai-Chi Lin¹, Kuo-Hsuan Hung³, Ke-Hung Chien⁴, Szu-Yu Chen², San-Ni Chen⁵, Yan-Ting Chen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
² Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan, ROC.
³ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Ophthalmology, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan, ROC.
⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
⁵ Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
⁶ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Optometry, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: ciloxan@gmail.com.

PMID: 25687646
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcma.2014.10.002

Abstract

Corneal neovascularization (NV), the excessive ingrowth of blood vessels from conjunctiva into the cornea, is a common sequela of disease insult that can lead to visual impairment. Clinically, topical steroid, argon laser photocoagulation, and subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab have been used to treat corneal NV. Sometimes, the therapies are ineffective, especially when the vessels are large. Large vessels are difficult to occlude and easily recanalized. Scientists and physicians are now dedicated to overcoming this problem. In this article, we briefly introduce the pathogenesis of corneal NV, and then highlight the existing animal models used in corneal NV research-the alkali-induced model and the suture-induced model. Most of all, we review the potential therapeutic targets (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor) and their corresponding inhibitors, as well as the immunosuppressants that have been discovered in recent years by corneal NV studies.

Keywords: angiogenesis; antiangiogenesis; corneal neovascularization; immunosuppressant; vascular endothelial growth factor.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
Animals
Corneal Neovascularization / drug therapy*
Disease Models, Animal
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / physiology
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / physiology
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / physiology

Substances

Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Immunosuppressive Agents
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor